The LGNSW awards are designed to recognise the work councils are doing in their local community.

Brewarrina Shire Council was announced as the winner for the Best Small Council with the Most Outstanding Youth Week Program and the NSW Health Play Safe Sexual Health Award for their Youth Week program.

The council’s Youth Week program included laser tag, a mechanical bull, movies and sexpert trivia.

Mayor Phillip O’Connor said it was a great result.

“I am very proud of our youth centre team. The girls are very committed to their work and put everything in to achieving results,” he said.

“As the closest tier of government to the local community, it is critical that councils engage in best practice communication with the people they serve,” LGNSW president Linda Scott said.

“Strong communication between councils and communities is one of the key reasons local government remains the most trusted tier of government in Australia.”

Cr Scott said this year’s Local Government Week theme was the Power of Community.

“We’re so proud as the peak body for NSW Councils to showcase the wonderful work our NSW Councils are doing for their communities across NSW,” she said.

Gilgandra Shire Council was also acknowledged for their Youth Week work, taking out the Most Innovative Youth Week Program 2018. Walgett Shire Council shared the win for Best Local Youth Week Program with Coolamon Shire Council.

The work Parkes Shire Council put into the 2017 Elvis Festival was also recognised. The council took out the Innovation in Special Events Award with Mid Western Shire Council’s Flavours of Mudgee.

The judges said the winners were two very different events, one was well recognised and had a great strategy, while the other was “building into the future”.

Parkes Shire Council brand and marketing manager Katrina Dwyer won an individual award for Outstanding Individual Contribution.

The judges said: "the results of Katrina's work over 10 years has really put Parkes on the map and her communication and marketing skills have seen council go from strength to strength."